5 Times Roman Reigns could have turned heel in WWE

#1 Returning from suspension

WWE's biggest missed opportunity with Roman Reigns.

Before "retiring" The Undertaker and trying to "kill" Braun Strowman, WWE was presented with the perfect opportunity to turn Roman Reigns heel. The Big Dog enjoyed his best world title run in 2016, after winning it from Triple H at WrestleMania. He had two epic clashes with AJ Styles, before his classic against a returning Seth Rollins at Money in the Bank.

In that match, Reigns seemed way more aggressive than normal. He was using his power to keep Rollins down, even talking trash at times. He was still the babyface while Rollins was the heel, but something felt different about that match. Ultimately, The Architect defeated The Big Dog to win the WWE Championship.

Dean Ambrose cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Rollins immediately afterward, as all three former members of The Shield held the WWE Title within five minutes of each other. However, Roman Reigns was suspended for violating WWE's wellness policy, explaining his shockingly clean loss to Rollins.

WWE should have made a bold decision and turned The Big Dog full heel for his return, which saw him sport a lovely beard. They had already planted the seeds during the Money in the Bank match and with Seth Rollins gaining more and more support, a double turn seemed like the obvious route.

Had Reigns immediately turned heel on his return in The Shield triple threat match at Battleground, the heat would have been nuclear and productive. It would have helped him grow as a performer, in a way even the most hardcore of fans could get behind. It would have helped get the entire WWE Universe on his side in the long run.

It was an opportunity wasted. It was a necessity after their initial mistakes with Roman Reigns in early 2015. But he is long beyond that point. And while he could pull off being a villain even now, The Big Dog will never turn heel anymore, nor should he.

Roman Reigns is a babyface for life.

After all that he went through, professionally and personally, Roman Reigns is WWE's biggest superhero. A turn would have helped his character years ago but since October 2018, his character has permanently blended with his real self. And in real life, Joe Anoa'i will always remain a babyface.